ENGINE: Americas Fuel Availability Outlook in International Shipping News 05/06/2026 North America Bunker fuel demand in Houston is strong across all three conventional fuel grades. Availability is tight for prompt deliveries this week, with HSFO and VLSFO requiring 8-10 days of lead time, while LSMGO can be delivered within 5-7 days. Heavy congestion and delays have been reported at the loading terminals over the past week or two. As a result, vessels should factor in potential operational delays even after stem confirmation, a source said. Bunker deliveries at the Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA) are being conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to weather conditions. All three conventional fuel grades are available with lead times of 7-10 days, a trader tells ENGINE. On the US East Coast, bunker demand in New York has softened compared to previous weeks. VLSFO availability is tight, with lead times stretching to 8-9 days. HSFO can be delivered within a week, while LSMGO is more readily available and requires 3-4 days of lead time, a source said. Premiums across all three conventional fuel grades are high at the port. High wind gusts could disrupt operations between 3-7 June. Currently, no backlog congestion or bunker barge readiness issues have been reported. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on 1 June and could lead to intermittent disruptions to bunkering operations across the US Gulf Coast, East Coast and parts of the Caribbean. However, forecasts from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) point to a less active season than last year, which could limit the frequency and duration of weather-related delays. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Depression One-E, located southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. On the West Coast, bunker fuel demand is steady. Availability is tight for HSFO and VLSFO at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, with le